The Bad Sports Stereotype

First of all, are there any good stereotypes? Okay, the one about big hands isn't bad (that is if you have big hands).

So I've been watching televised sports for a good 30+ years. My first memory of a televised game worth value was Hank Aaron's 715 (I was 6 and a half). As a young impressionable kid you have no idea what a stereotype is, so let's throw out the first 20 years.But over the last 10 or so years, there is this one that just makes my blood boil:

Black Guys are "athletic" and white guys are "smart". Okay I said it. This pisses me off for a ton of reasons:

1. I know a ton of really athletic white guys (and no Steensland, you're not one of them), but because they can't do a Dominique Tomahawk Jam (DTJ), they aren't athletic.

2. Conversely, I know a ton of really athletic black guys who can do the DTJ, but I wouldn't call dumb.

3. Finally, the stereotype diminishes great white performers as non-athletic (i.e. John Stockton). How many times did you hear an announcer say this about Stockton: "Stockton is so crafty". Last time I checked crafty is an important skill for all Point Guards (white or black). It also does not allow great black athletes (i.e. Ladanian Tomlinson) to be something other than an athlete and not something more...which is sad.

Here are a few smart black guys that made good on being smart rather than athletic:

1. Robert Parrish (my favorite Celtic): this guy would be lucky to be drafted today based on flash. Had Duncan-like numbers and 3 rings. Never allowed a DTJ on him, much less performed one.
2. Travarus Bennet (my favorite Gopher BB player). Was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice, rarely missed a free throw, and made open shots consistently. 0 DTJs.
3. Aaron Gibson (Offensive Tackle, Buffalo Bills). This guy is 6-6 390 pounds of non-athlete. But for some reason, he was drafted in the first round and has been in the NFL for 8 years. Currently has 0 DTJs.

Here are a few dumb white guys that have/had a ton of athletic ability:

1. Jason Williams: big ranch, no cattle
2. Ryan Leaf: could only read headlines, not blitzes
3. Phil Mickelson: did you watch the 2006 US Open?
4. John Greenagel

Please add to the list.

TZ